T2407a - Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service ‘NIESS’ Framework A (preferred Contractors) Growth and Scaling

The Local Authorities in Northern Ireland have developed a new enterprise support service ‘ESS’ which aims to put in place a more ambitious approach to the delivery of start-up and growth support which seeks to revamp the current offer and increase the number, survival and growth rates of new businesses across the region. The service aims to provide a set of connected ESS where individuals, entrepreneurs or businesses can access a continuum of support to meet their needs, aligned with the relevant stage of their business. Given the varying needs of the individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses that will likely engage with this service across the business lifecycle, the Local Authorities have identified a need to put in place a framework of ESS, this NIESS Framework A, which will: a) Be proactive and flexible to address market needs. b) Incentivise market development activity. c) Provide a core programme of service delivery across the region. d) Provide access to specialists in certain sectors / target groups. e) Be flexible in responding to future variability in demand and funding. f) Provide quality services that meet user needs; and g) Support the Local Authorities strategic ambitions aligned with The Northern Ireland Draft Programme for Government, 10x Economy – Northern Ireland’s Decade of Innovation, Economy 2030, draft Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland, Invest NI’s forward business plans, the City/Growth deals, and inclusive growth focus of the individual Council community plans. The NIESS, will comprise of the following three frameworks/ contracts which are being procured separately: a) NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) - Growth and Scaling; b) NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) - Engage and Foundation; and b) NIESS Framework B (Subject Matter Experts and Sector Experts). This procurement relates to the award of a contract to the Contractor for each of five (5) geographic Lots for NIESS Framework A (preferred Contractors) covering the Growth and Scaling requirement. The geographic Lots are based on groupings of the 11 Local Authorities and are for the provision of ‘growth and scaling’ level supports. The other 10 Local Authorities (Contract Users) included are: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Ards and North Down Borough Council Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Derry City and Strabane District Council Fermanagh and Omagh District Council - Enniskillen Office Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mid Ulster District Council - Dungannon Newry, Mourne and Down District Council